Thursday, March 29, 2012

To Hope and Back

To Hope and Back: The Journey of the St. Louis
By Kathy Kacer
Second Story Press, 2011. 204 pgs. Middle grade nonfiction

In 1939, over 900 Jews sought refugee from Hitler and the rise of Nazism in Germany by boarding the St. Louis and heading to Cuba. Having purchased costly tickets, which in some cases used up families' entire life savings, they were treated kindly by the crew, including Captain Schroeder, and they were anticipating a new life in Cuba, or after a brief stay in Cuba, in the U.S. However, as the ship was racing across the ocean, trouble was brewing, as Nazi propaganda convinced many Cubans the soon-to-arrive Jews were poor, dirty criminals. As the ship reached Cuba, no one was allowed to disembark. While a few concerned people tried to convince either the Cuban government or the U.S. government to allow the emigrants in, the Jews feared what would happen if no one would take them--because returning to Germany would mean almost certain death.

This is a first-rate book that blends fiction with nonfiction, as it follows two children, Lisa and Sol, who really traveled on the ship but who didn't necessarily experience everything that was attributed to them. I had heard of the St. Louis, but this made the story of the people come to life--and showed some of the consequences of the decisions made by hostile/weak governments.

4 stars. Clean read.

War Horse

War Horse
By Michael Morpurgo
Scholastic, 2007/Scholastic Audio, 2010. 165 pgs/4 hrs. Middle grade fiction

Joey, a horse, narrators the story of his life, from when he was bought at an auction by a farmer and then cared for and trained for by the farmer's son, Albert. With the outbreak of World War I, however, he is sold to a cavalry captain and sent off to war. A devastated Albert vows to find him, but in the meantime, Joey gets an up-close look at the death and destruction waged by the war.

This is a fine piece of historical fiction. It's sad and sweet at the same time, and in the audio version, listeners will be equally drawn in by Joey's story as by John Keating's narration.

4 stars. Clean read.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Embrace

Embrace
By Jessica Shirvington
Sourcebooks Fire, 2012. 374 pgs. Teen fiction (I read the ARC)

Violet Eden has long loved her friend Lincoln, but he sees her as a training partner for martial arts and running. Just as Violet is about to see if they can take things to the next level, he betrays her. Lincoln has known all along that Violet, on her seventeenth birthday, will find out that she, like him, is a Grigori, a half-angel, half-human charged with protecting humans from fallen angels. Violet just wants to have a normal life and she's not so sure she wants to embrace this new life--and she is sure that she no longer wants nothing to do with Lincoln. She starts spending a lot of time with Phoenix, a fallen angel, who, technically she should want nothing to do with but who draws her in so much that she can't stay away. However, even as romance is developing with Phoenix, she can't forget Lincoln--and she also can't quite walk away from the fact that the Grigori need her help as fallen angels are wreaking havoc on her town.

I think teen readers will love this one--it's got passion, it's got a love triangle, it's got all that paranormal goodness (for those who like that sort of thing). As an adult reader, I struggle a bit with the physical relationship between Violet and Phoenix. To explain why, I've got to give some SPOILERS!
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Okay, aside from the fact that I think there' s too much sex in teen books anyway (yes, I admit my personal bias), Phoenix is a fallen angel who manipulates Violet's emotions, making her like him more and Lincoln less. I would think that when a girl finds out the guy she slept with has manipulated her like that, particularly a girl who was sexually assaulted by a teacher in her past, that she would have some sort of anger/depression/extreme reaction...and she doesn't really. I don't really buy that. I don't know if it's because we as readers are supposed to think of Phoenix as the dreamy bad boy or what, but bad boys who cross into manipulation in order to further a physical relationship are NOT dreamy. And as an adult, I worry that maybe teens won't make that connection and realize how wrong it was for Phoenix to mess with Violet like that.
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Overall, I can see it being popular with a lot of teens, and they'll be clamoring for the next book in the series.

3 stars. Has a sex scene (not detailed) as well as a brief discussion of how one character had envisioned his romantic seduction of another character. Some language as well.

The Traitor in the Tunnel

The Traitor in the Tunnel
By Y.S. Lee
Candlewick Press, 2012. 373 pgs. Teen fiction

Mary Quinn is on assignment as a private detective for the Agency on what initially seems to be a relatively simple case--a thief is snatching small items from Queen Victoria's Buckingham Palace. However, things quickly get complicated when the Prince of Wales is caught up in a scandal: when he and a friend visited an opium den, an opium-addicted Chinese sailor killed the prince's friend. The sailor is arrested and the royal family tries to uncover what truly happened and how to handle the scandal--and Mary has to figure out what to do about the sailor who has the same name as her long-dead father. To make matters more complicated, Mary has run into James Easton, the young engineer who she thinks wants nothing more to do with her, as he is working on a top-secret project in the sewers below the palace, and Mary must resolve the turmoil of her own heart.

This third book of the Agency series is just as much fun as the first two. The simmering romance between James and Mary takes a satisfying turn, and Mary's struggle to decide how to handle issues with the Chinese opium addict who just might be her father and her own future provide just the right amount of character development and growth. I think this is my favorite in the series and am eagerly awaiting the fourth book in the series.

4.5 stars. A little bit of language and some making out, or "animal passion" as James jokingly refers to it.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker
By Kate Alcott
Doubleday, 2012. 306 pgs. Adult fiction

Fed up with her status as a servant, Tess leaves her employment and heads for the Titanic, hoping to find a job that will get her across the ocean. As luck would have it, she winds up getting Lady Lucille Duff Gordon to accept her as a servant. Lucille is a fashion designer, and Tess, eager to become a designer herself, is eager to work with her. However, she soon sees Lucille's little fits of temper and isn't quite sure where she stands with the formidable lady. While aboard the ship, she meets both a kind sailor and a dashing American businessman, both of whom appeal to her, although in different ways.
Then, the unthinkable happens and the ship sinks, and Tess finds herself torn between her employer, who is giving her opportunities that she's only ever been able to dream of, and Jim Bonney, the sailor who insists that Lady Duff Gordon and her husband, once safely aboard a lifeboat that could have held fifty people, only allowed their small group of twelve the safety of the boat, refusing to go back for others. As an official investigation is being conducted, Tess finds herself having to examine herself and see where she stands and what price she'll pay to become the woman she wants to be.

I really liked how the book explored the aftermath of the Titanic sinking; I've read a few that dealt with the voyage and sinking, but this was the first one I read that really addressed what happened afterwards. The questions of who is guilty and what should have happened and what people should have done and whether or not they did it are thought-provoking and not easily answered. I think the author made a very good choice in allowing Tess to be the main character, having been a servant but now being introduced into a world of privilege gave her a unique perspective that really helped pull the book off well.

4 stars. Clean read.

Rock On

Rock On
By Denise Vega
Little, Brown and Company, 2012. 296 pgs. Teen fiction (I read the ARC)

Orion Taylor, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for a band without a name, is looking forward to buying his dream guitar and playing in the Battle of the Bands. However, his older brother, Del, who used to be the type to always get Ori's back, now, having dropped out of college and moved back home, can't seem to stand Ori. He mocks his music and his band and seems out to get the girl Orion likes. Tired of being in his brother's shadow, but not quite confident enough to truly believe good things will happen to him, Orion is just trying to make music--and make his dreams come true.

Another good addition to contemporary realistic fiction with a teen protagonist. I really liked Orion; he's a down to earth, relate-able type of guy. This is the sort of book that's easy to hand to teens because everyone can identify with the struggle for confidence and believing in yourself and your dreams enough to make them happy.

4 stars. Minimal language but otherwise clean.

Boy 21

Boy 21
By Matthew Quick
Little, Brown, and Company. 2012. 250 pgs. Teen fiction (I read the ARC)

Living in Bellmont, PA, where the Irish mob rules, Finley escapes from the hardships of life (which include a legless grandfather, a deceased mother, and a father stuck working a dead-end job) through two things: basketball and his girlfriend, Erin. The two of them train hard and Finley is looking forward to his third year as starting point guard when his coach asks for his help with a special project--a new basketball player. Russ has just moved to Bellmont from California, where, before his parents were murdered, he was best high school baller in the country. Now, however, he's obsessed with outer space, insisting his parents' spaceship will be picking him up soon, and answering only to Boy 21. Although not really sure what he can do, Finley does as his coach asks and befriends Boy 21, even though it means he's worried that if Russ snaps out of it, Finley could wind up on the bench.

Ahhhh (satisfied sigh). I'd heard good things about this book, and I'm glad for the chance to be able to read it for myself. I loved watching Finley, who is a completely nice guy, take Russ under his wing, and at the same time, figure out what's really important to him and learn how to stand up for himself. I feel like there's a lot of good fantasy out there with male protagonists, but not so much contemporary realistic fiction with male protagonists, so this is a welcome addition. I felt like the Irish mob element wasn't developed quite at much as it should have been (I guess I feel like they should've been more present throughout the book, especially given a couple of the twists later in the book), but overall, it was really enjoyable. Again, Finley was great--a nice guy you can't help but like--and I enjoyed getting to "know" him so to speak.

4 stars. Some language and making out.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Under a Red Sky

Under a Red Sky
By Haya Leah Molnar
Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2010. 302 pgs. Teen Nonfiction

Living in Communist Romania after WWII, life wasn't much better for the Jews than it was during the war. Eva, however, who is a child living with her parents, grandparents, and two uncles, and an aunt, didn't know that she was Jewish. She did know that her family didn't agree with the Communist government and that their dream was to emigrate to Israel, where they wouldn't all have to live in one small apartment and where they'd be able to find better jobs and speak freely. Once she became aware of her status as a Jew, she still doesn't understand what it means to be Jewish, only that it's dangerous.

I enjoyed reading Eva's story, since Communist Romania isn't a topic I know much about. I think Eva's family dynamics were particularly interesting. I was a little disappointed with the ending; this, as indicated in the title, is the story only of Eva's life in Communist Romania, but since her family was able to move to Israel when she was ten, there's still much about Eva's life that we don't get to see, and for me, it just felt like it ended a little too soon.

3 stars. Clean read.

In the Shadow of the Lamp

In the Shadow of the Lamp
By Susanne Dunlap
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2011. 293 pgs. Teen fiction

After Molly is wrongfully accused of stealing and fired from her job as a parlormaid, she hears that Florence Nightingale is looking for nurses to go to Turkey to help take care of soldiers wounded in the Crimean war. Molly doesn't have any real nursing experience, but she's determined to take advantage of this opportunity and manages to trick her way into the group of nurses. As much as she loves nursing, she finds it slightly hard to obey all of the rules, especially the one about not fraternizing with any men. There's a handsome young doctor who seems interested in her, but then a friend from England (who actually helped her make it to Turkey) follows her to Turkey, enlisting in the army in order to be near her. With her heart drawn to both men, and her job as well, Molly has to figure out what she truly wants from life.

I liked the historical setting of this novel and found Molly to be a fun character--spunky and determined. I will say that I'm a bit tired of the love triangle theme, and the ending was a little bit more vague than I would have liked, but overall, I did enjoy the book and will definitely read other books by this author.

3 stars. Clean read.

Supernaturally

Supernaturally
By Kiersten White
HarperTeen, 2011. 342 pgs. Teen fiction

In the second book in the Paranormalcy series, Evie, living out the normal life she has always dreamed of, finds that it's not quite what she imagined. With her dreamy boyfriend Lend away at college, severely limiting their time together, Evie's actually missing her former employer, the International Paranormal Containment society. So when her former boss shows up asking her to be a contract employee, she does it, even though it means lying to Lend. Soon she's busy with mysterious paranormals who keep turning up and trying to control a rather frightening side of herself. She's also busy ruining her relationship with Lend, since she lies to him about numerous things, including intentionally neglecting to tell him that he's actually immortal. With her life spiraling out of control, Evie comes to realize that she's not exactly who she thought she was.

I have to say, I spent a large part of this book being frustrated with Evie--she's got the sweetest boyfriend and she keeps lying to him, which didn't exactly make me like her. I also though the book's resolution came way too quickly and easily. That said, I think fans of the series will really enjoy it. It is a fun book, and the twist on the paranormals still makes it a refreshing contrast to a lot of paranormal literature.

3.5 stars. Clean read.

The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing
By Christina Mandelski
Egmont USA, 2011. 330 pgs. Teen fiction

When Sheridan Wells's father, a local chef, gets an offer for a TV show, the town couldn't be more excited. But Sheridan isn't happy about it at all, especially since this show could mean they have to relocate to NYC, something Sheridan absolutely doesn't want to do. Sheridan's mother left when she was a kid, but she said she'd come back, and Sheridan is waiting for her to keep that promise. Additionally, she has a good job decorating cakes, something she loves doing, and Ethan, pretty much the hottest guy at school, has finally noticed her, and even though that has pretty much killed her friendship with her lifetime best friend Jack, Sheridan just wants to push ahead with things the way that they are.

I really like food fiction, and this one was pretty fun, except for some points where Sheridan seemed excessively whiny. (Realistic, yes, but not necessarily enjoyable to read.) Her process of coming to understand what she really wants and what is best for her is one that many teens will relate to. Overall, it's better than average but not spectacular.

3 stars. Clean read.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns
By Rae Carson
Green Willow Books, 2011. 424 pgs. Teen fiction

Elisa, the second-born princess of Orovalle, is, on her sixteenth birthday, married off to the King Alejandro of Joya d'Arena. As she heads off to a new country, with a husband she doesn't know and only her nurse and a lady-in-waiting for company, Elisa must hide the secret that all of her countrymen know: she is the chosen one. Once every hundred years, God chooses a special servant by placing a gemstone in his or her navel; Elisa possesses that special stone and knows she is called of God, but has no idea what God would actually have her do or how she can be of any use to anyone. Soon, though, she must find a way to help her new countrymen stave off the take over of their country by the Invierne, powerful enemies whose sorcery and strength could easily overpower the people of Joya d'Arena. Still unsure of what exactly God would have her do, Elisa must rely on her faith and new friends to complete a mission that could very well get her killed.

I really enjoyed this new fantasy book, from the characters to the plot to the discussions of faith. Elisa's maturation process from an insecure, overprotected to princess to a fiercely faithful woman is satisfying. The book reads really quickly--I was actually surprised to see (after I'd finished it) that it was over 400 pages long, since it seemed to go by so quickly. A good choice for fans of high fantasy.

4 stars.

Out of Sight, Out of Time

Out of Sight, Out of Time
By Ally Carter
Disney-Hyperion Books, 2012. 294 pgs. Teen fiction

In June, Cammie Morgan left the Gallagher Academy, determined to find out what she can about the Circle of Cavan and figure out what information they think she has. However, in October, she wakes up in a convent in the Alps with amnesia, having no idea what she's done for the past four months or how she got the scrapes and bruises all over her body--and how she seemed to have picked up some skills that she certainly was never taught at the Gallagher Academy. Worried that she's a danger to herself and everyone around her, Cammie has to figure out what she spent her summer doing, but the Circle is determined to keep her from remembering.

This latest installment in the Gallagher Girls series had me on the edge of my seat wondering what happened to Cammie; it was really hard not to sneak a look at the end of the book, so instead, I just had to read it as quickly as possible. This is darker than the first few books, as Cammie's life is in danger, but the author still infuses humor through the dialogue and Cammie's thoughts. Fans will be satisfied with this book but will be clamoring for the next book.

4 stars. Clean read.

You Against Me

You Against Me
By Jenny Downham
David Fickling Books, 2011. 412 pgs. Teen fiction

When Karyn McKenzie says that Tom Parker sexually assaulted her, naturally her older brother Mikey believes her and will do anything he can to help her. And when Tom Parker denies it, naturally his younger sister Ellie believes him and is even prepared to be the key witness in his defense. However, when Mikey sets out to get revenge, he isn't quite prepared for what happens: he meets Ellie, and as much as he hates her brother, he is drawn to her and finds himself torn between wanting to help his sister and wanting to have a relationship with Ellie.

Downham has done a great job capturing the complexities of the human heart. Ellie and Mikey's struggle to remain loyal to their own family while figuring out if the other is trustworthy is an engaging plot line, and the relationships between the various characters are spot on. Both Ellie and Mikey are flawed, totally realistic characters, and their forbidden romance is delightfully written. Most readers who pick this one up won't want to put it down.

4 stars. Language and some sexual situations.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Hourglass

Hourglass
By Myra McEntire
Egmont, 2011. 390 pgs. Teen fiction

For several years, Emerson Cole has seen ghosts from the past, and she can't figure out how to make it stop. When Michael Weaver arrives from an organization called Hourglass, Em is eager to find out that she isn't alone in the world--other people have strange abilities as well--and impressed by Michael's dashing good looks. But it turns out that Michael isn't only there to help her; he also needs her help to travel back in time to prevent the death of a man who never should have died--and he insists that their task leaves them no room for romance. Em has to not only prevent the plans of a murder but also convince Michael that their connection is one worth bending a few rules for.

This book has some minor flaws that will be easily overlooked by most readers, who will be drawn in by Em's feistiness, a quick-moving plot, and the romance. The ending was a bit rushed, but it's good enough to tide readers over until the next book in the series. This is a good sci-fi pick for readers who don't really like sci-fi, since you can just kind of gloss over the time travel details (which aren't too heavily described) and enjoy the rest of the plot. There's a little bit of language, but overall it's pretty clean.

4 stars.

Thanksgiving: The True Story

Thanksgiving: The True Story
By Penny Colman
Henry Holt, 2008. 149 pgs. Teen Nonfiction

Although most Americans have probably learned that the "first" Thanksgiving, and the beginning of our current Thanksgiving traditions, was the story of Pilgrims and Squanto, Colman shows that there are at least twelve different claims of the first Thanksgiving. She briefly addresses some of them and shows how long-standing traditions of harvest festivals and general thanksgiving days, as well as the push of activist Sarah Hale all contributed to our holiday and how U.S. Presidents, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, declared national days of thanksgiving, but it wasn't until an act of Congress in the 1940s that Thanksgiving became a national holiday. The second half of the book focuses on Thanksgiving traditions.

I liked the first half of the book better than the second, but overall, it was interesting and informative--and not too long, for those readers who only have time for a short history at this busy time of year.

3 stars.

Liar's Moon

Liar's Moon
By Elizabeth C. Bunce
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011. 356 pgs. Teen fiction

Digger has returned to her home city of Gerse and find that Durrel Decath, the young noble who was one of her rescuers when she was fleeing the city before, is in prison, accused of murdering his wife. As Digger investigates what really happened, she finds out that there's much more doing on than she realized, including the smuggling and extortion of magical people. Proving that Durrel didn't kill his wife proves harder than she thought--as does denying her growing feelings for him.

A lot of times, the second book in a series is boring or slow; I think Bunce did a good job avoiding that. This book moved pretty well, with action, adventure, and a dash of romance. Fans of Starcrossed will appreciate that. At the same time, they might find themselves disappointed by the fact that most of the characters from the first book don't make an appearance in the second. And for those who hoped Digger's love life might involve a certain rebel prince, they'll be disappointed to see the romance heading a different direction. Overall, though, a lot of fun, and the cliffhanger ending will leave readers hoping Bunce and her publishers put out the third book really quickly.

4 stars.

Ghosts in the Fog

Ghosts in the Fog
By Samantha Seiple
Scholastic, 2011. 221 pgs. Teen Nonfiction

After the Japanese army invaded Aleutian Islands in Alaska in 1942, the U.S. Army tried to convince the American public that the invasion hadn't happened. At the same time, they began evacuating the islands, sending the native inhabitants to refugee camps where they lived in miserable conditions, and planned their counterattack to regain the territory.

This book was interesting--the invasion of Alaska during WWII isn't something I remember learning about in my history classes--but it was almost too brief. It was a surface-level treatment that left me wondering about a lot of things. I think the author tried to bring in too many people to the story--there are little snippets about a variety of people, but then the brevity of the book made following up on their stories hard. It's a good introduction to the topic, but most readers will want more information than this book provides (which could be a good thing, if they go on to find other materials to supplement it).

3 stars.

I Love Him to Pieces

I Love Him to Pieces
By Evonne Tsang
Graphic Universe, 2011. 123 pgs. Graphic Novel

When jock Dicey and nerd Jack get paired up for a science project, mutual attraction flares. However, when they go out on their first date, they find themselves in the middle of a zombie outbreak, and they have to figure out how to survive.

This graphic novel is a quick read, and it's a lot of fun. Dicey is a funny, strong female character, while Jack is sweet and dorky and totally loveable. It was fun to watch their developing romance. This is the first book in a series, and I would definitely read the next installment.

3 stars.

Son of Neptune

Son of Neptune
By Rick Riordan
Disney/Hyperion Books, 2011. 521 pgs. Teen fiction

After several months of enchanted sleep, Percy Jackson--who has only vague recollections of his previous life experiences--winds up at Camp Jupiter, the camp for the half-human children of the Roman gods. Given that Percy is descended from a Greek god, he isn't fully welcome in camp. However, he and two of the other least popular demigods, Frank and Hazel, find themselves with only days to complete a quest that will require them to defeat giants, free death, and keep their camp from being destroyed. At the same time, Percy has to figure out who he is, Frank has to uncover some family secrets and figure out where his strengths lie, and Hazel has to face up to a bad decision in her past and figure out how to fit in in a world where she doesn't belong.

I highly enjoyed this book. It's adventurous and funny and has a great pace. It was nice to back with Percy, and Hazel and Frank are good additions to the series. I can't wait for the next installment.

I listened to part of the book and read part of it, and I definitely recommend the print version more than the audio version. The narrator did all right for Percy, but for Hazel, he wasn't consistent with her accent, and he made Frank sound like a dope. So, if you can, go for a print copy and pass on the audio.

3.5 stars. Clean read.

The Beginning of After

The Beginning of After
By Jennifer Castle
HarperTeen, 2011. 425 pgs. Teen fiction

In a single moment, Laurel's entire life changes. Her father, mother, and brother are killed in a car accident, along with their neighbor, Mrs. Kaufman, and the driver of the vehicle, Mr. Kaufman, is in a coma. As Laurel is trying to deal with losing her whole family and trying to establish normalcy (or decide if it's even okay to try to have a normal life), she keeps crossing paths with the Kaufmans' son, David, who infuriates her but also understand her pain better than anyone else does.

This book was really well done. Laurel is a sympathetic and likable narrator, and her grief and process of healing is realistically portrayed. This is a great choice for fans of contemporary realistic fiction.

3.5 stars. Some language and sexual content.

Virtuosity

Virtuosity
By Jessica Martinez
Simon Pulse, 2011. 294 pgs. Teen fiction

Carmen Bianchi's whole life has been leading up to a prestigious violin contest. She has practiced and performed and recorded CDs, but none of it matters if she doesn't win the competition. However, her main competition, Jeremy King, might just be good enough to beat her. And to make matters worse, he also might be the only one who understands the pressure that she's under--enough pressure that she's become addicted to an anti-anxiety drug that keeps her from throwing up before each performance. Carmen's mother, who cares about this competition as much or even more than Carmen, says that Jeremy is only expressing interest in her to fluster her before her performance, but Carmen wants to believe it's more. She also wants to start living her own life and soon finds herself rediscovering what it means to be Carmen.

This is an excellent choice for fans of realistic teen fiction. It draws readers in from the first page, and even people who don't know anything about violins will be able to relate to Carmen's passion and the pressure she's under. Highly enjoyable.

4 stars. Some language, I think, although I don't remember for sure (read it a couple months ago.)

Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland

Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland
By Anne Renaud
Dundurn Press, 2010. 106 pgs. Teen Nonfiction

After the completion of the cross-Canadian railroad, and with the Canadian Pacific Railway had established themselves in delivering the mail across the continent and built up a small fleet for getting mail across the Pacific Ocean, they turned their attention to the Atlantic mail trade. The Empress of Ireland was one of the ships built to meet that need. After eight years of successfully crossing the ocean, the Empress was struck by another ship and sunk within hours, killing over one thousand people.

This book is pretty short but it's jam-packed with interesting information. There weren't as many details about the actual sinking of the ship as I'd expected, but it did have snippets about passengers and lots of photographs that really helped readers get a feel for the time period and the interior of the ship. I would have liked to see a little more about the ship's sinking and the ways lives were affected, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book.

4 stars.

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917

Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917
By Sally M. Walker
Henry Holt, 2011. 145 pgs. Teen Nonfiction

December 6, 1917 started out as a normal day for the people of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as they headed off to work and school. Little did they know that disaster was looming in the Halifax Harbour, as a ship loaded with explosives was on course to collide with another ship. When the two boats collided, the largest man-made explosion until the dropping of the atomic bomb nearly thirty years later was the result. Felt and heard for miles, the explosion was devastating to the people of Halifax as neighborhoods were destroyed and nearly 2000 people were killed.

Walker's presentation of this important part of history is phenomenal. She follows the stories of several families living in Halifax at the time and shows how they were affected by this disaster; this personal aspect, along with numerous photographs from the event, really brings the tragedy to life for readers. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting look at history.

4.5 stars.

Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London

Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London
By Andrea Warren
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011. 156 pg. Teen Nonfiction

While most of English society thought poor people deserved their lot in life and simply ignored those who were "beneath" them, Charles Dickens had a different opinion. As a youth, his father's debts made it so Charles was denied the education he so desperately wanted and instead was forced to do menial labor. As he did so, he saw how society, with its laws and regulations (such as sending people to debtor's prison until they could pay their debt but not allowing them to work in order to earn money) and lack of support from the government kept people in poverty, allowing them no way to escape. He was especially touched by the experience of England's impoverished children, many of whom were homeless, lacking in education, and working in horrible conditions in order to help earn even meager bits of money for their families. Dickens, having never forgotten his own experiences, and never quite being able to shake the fear of being impoverished again, deliberately drew the public's attention to the conditions of their country. With his novels, essays, and newspaper articles, he gave the poor a voice and showed the rich that it wasn't simply their lot in life to be "better" than others but that they should help those around them. Through his work as an author and a social reformer, Dickens brought about changes desperately needed in his society.

Very well done. This is a highly interesting, highly readable piece of nonfiction. The author does a great job of showing what life was like in Victorian England for the lower classes, and it's fascinating to see the impact that one man could have at opening the eyes of those around him. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars. Clean read.

The Day Before

The Day Before
By Lisa Schroeder
Simon Pulse, 2011. 307 pgs. Teen fiction

Needing to escape, Amber decides to take her final day before her life changes completely by going to the beach. While she initially plans to spend the day in solitude, her plans quickly change when she meets Cade, a boy who appears to have the same haunting pressure on him. The two of them agree not ask any questions, but they set out together to have one happy day before returning to real life.

This novel in verse will appeal to many readers. The plot is carefully unfolded, giving tiny hints that will have readers holding their breath as they're waiting to find out just what Amber and Cade are facing. Both characters are realistic and likable, and their desire to have one terrific day will pull readers along as they long for a terrific day of their own.

4 stars. A little bit of language, but not enough to bother most readers as they enjoy this perfectly delightful book.

Duped!: True Stories of the World's Best Swindlers

Duped!: True Stories of the World's Best Swindlers
By Andreas Schroeder
Annick Press, 2011. 157 pgs. Middle Grade/Teen Nonfiction

This book covers eight stories of deception, from an alien invasion that set many parts of the U.S. into a panic to a man who first wrote and then pretended to discover two original works from Shakespeare, all in an attempt to impress his father.
Some of these stories were more interesting than others, and the book seemed to end a little abruptly, but overall, this is a good choice for reluctant readers. Its quick stories, along with comic-style illustrations, make it a fast and easy read, but it's also one that makes you feel a little smarter afterwards.

3 stars. Clean read.

The Survival Kit

The Survival Kit
By Donna Freitas
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011. 351 pgs. Teen fiction

Rose Madison's entire life has changed since her mother's death. She doesn't want to listen to music, she quit cheerleading, and she can barely stand to have her boyfriend touch her. Then she finds one of her mother's trademark survival kits, a brown bag with items that are intended to help the receiver of the gift survive whatever struggle they're dealing with. At first, Rose can't even bring herself to open the bag, but once she does, she finds herself trying to deal with her emotions, and is surprised to discover that she's developing feelings for Will Doniger, who, having lost his father to cancer, seems to understand her better than anyone.

Rose's emotional journey, as well as her blossoming relationship with Will, were developed pretty close to perfectly. Freitas did a good job portraying a girl who is torn by the conflict of wanting to freeze time as she grieves for her mother while at the same time knowing that she's supposed to move forward with her life. Freitas got just the right tone on this one--not too heavy and depressing but not too light either. Highly recommend.

4 stars. Some language and talk of a previous sexual relationship.

Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog

Boo: The Life of the World's Cutest Dog
By J.H. Lee
Chronicle Books, 2011. 1 vol. (unpaged). Middle Grade Nonfiction

Boo, the adorable Pomeranian dog who has acquired Facebook fame, shares with readers what it's like to spend a day in his life, from sleeping to playing to wearing stylish outfits to hanging out with his best dog friend Buddy to sleeping some more.

This is a must-read for any dog-lover. Boo is super cute, and readers will get a chuckle out of all of his pictures--and will probably want to go out and buy a Boo of their own.

3.5 stars. Clean read.

Seven Miracles That Saved America

Seven Miracles That Saved America
By Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart
Shadow Mountain, 2009. 311 pgs. Adult Nonfiction

The authors examine seven events in American history, ranging chronologically from Columbus's discovery of the Americas to Ronald Regan's near0miss at the hands of an assassin, and point out the hand of God in the outcome of the events, typically focusing on small detail that had huge outcomes. Their overarching argument is that God did, and still does, care about America and that Americans should believe in their country.

This book mixes in some fictional narrative with the nonfiction, which could evoke mixed responses from readers. Some may appreciate the fictional inserts, since they add a little bit of a personal touch, but others may wish they had been left out, resulting in a slightly shorter book. I personally felt like some of the chapters were lengthier than necessary, and I think I would have appreciated some maps to illustrate some of the points, but overall, it's a very interesting book and a good choice for book clubs looking for a lively discussion.

3.5 stars. Clean read.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Fracture

Fracture
By Megan Miranda
Walker & Co., 2012. 264 pgs. Young Adult

After Delaney falls through the ice into a cold Maine lake, it takes eleven minutes for her best friend Decker to pull her out--long enough to kill her. Except it doesn't. Miraculously, she wakes up after six days in a coma and doesn't even have brain damage. But she soon realizes that something is wrong with her, as she finds herself physically drawn to those who are dying. With her mother freaking out over her accident and her relationship with Decker falling apart, it's a relief when Delaney meets Troy, another coma survivor who seems to have the same strange ability that Delaney does. Except, she doesn't know Troy, and what she finds out makes her rethink everything she knows.

Thoroughly entertaining, readers will pick this one up and devour it in one sitting. There's enough action and snappy dialogue for reluctant readers (and a love triangle, too), and there's enough depth to keep it satisfying for those who like their books with a little more meat. I really liked watching Decker and Delaney trying to figure out their friendship. On the down side, I was thrown a little by a reaction Delaney's classmates have to her later in the book--not so much that it happens but that there's never any follow up to it. It's one of those situations where if I over-think things, I might not like the book as much, but it in the heat of the moment, it was really good.

3.5 stars. Some language and making out.

Words Spoken True

Words Spoken True
By Ann H. Gabhart
Revell, 2012. 356 pgs. Romance

In 1855 Louisville, all Adriane Darcy cares about is helping her father with their newspaper, the Tribune, which has long been the city's leading newspaper. But now The Herald, under the direction of Blake Garrett, who has a style vastly different from Adriane's father's political emphasis, is gaining readership. With the political arena heating up, Adriane's father encouraging her to marry a man she doesn't love, and Irish girls being murdered in the city, Adriane's life has been turned upside. And actually meeting Blake Garrett doesn't help, as Adriane is much more drawn to him than she is to her own fiancé. Although the attraction is mutual, the opposition against them ever having a relationship is nearly insurmountable.

I really enjoyed Gabhart's newest book. The elements of mystery and romance are woven well into the historical and political background. Readers will be quickly drawn into the plot and even if they guess at some parts, there is enough of a twist to keep it interesting. Two small quibbles: the book ends, despite it's title, with a lie. I find myself bothered by that partly because they're journalists and they're not supposed to do that, but also because the author seemed to want to emphasize that they don't lie...since, you know, she titled the book, Words Spoken True. Also, there was just a touch too much backstory drama for me (like Blake's father's death). Overall, though, quite enjoyable.

3.5 stars.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
By Jennifer E. Smith
Little, Brown and Company, 2012. 248 pgs. Teen fiction (I read the ARC)

Hadley Sullivan misses her flight to England by a matter of minutes, and as she waits for a new flight, she meets Oliver, who is also on his way to England and just happens to sit next to her on the plane. Even as Hadley is lamenting her trip to England--since she is about to attend her father's wedding to a woman she's never met (a woman who broke up her parents' marriage)--Hadley can't help but enjoy her time with Oliver, and can't help wishing that fate will bring them together again once they've landed in England and departed for their separate destinations.

This is a satisfying teen romance, interesting in the fact that it takes place in a 24-hour period. Hadley is likable and slightly stubborn about her father's new relationship (which is completely realistic but not overdone), and teen girls will be wishing they could find an Oliver of their own. One small complaint: there are approximately two instances when the "h-word" is used, and Oliver sneaks some alcohol from the flight attendant, which means this book isn't quite, at least according to my very conservative community's standards, a clean read...which, as a librarian is said conservative community is a little frustrating. With it being soooo close to being clean, I wish the author and publisher had decided to leave out those little details and make it a 100% clean read. Overall, though, most readers probably won't bat an eye.

3.5 stars. Almost, so close, to being squeaky clean.